Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-10-11
A DOCTOR S VIEWS.
The Condition OF Patients at the Dakota
Hospital for the 1nsane-The Estab-
,sshrnapt N,a;sot

The Condition OF Patients at the Dak0th
Hospital for xBsane-The Estah-
iishment Visited
Yankton, Oct., Ito the Press and
Dakotnian-There ID no better evidence
that the world is advancing towards q
better civilization than Is seen In the
progress of the humanitarian thought.
Ia the days OF Christ on earth the class
reputed for piety by their fellows
could shout "Glory to God on
high" but could not say "peace and
good will to men," This was piety
without humanity. Jesus brought a
version of christinity wider, higher and
deeper. This was piety and %philanthro-
ply joined. While man cannot do with.
out the performance of duties to God,
neither can he disregard the right OF
man..
1t the firstbenediction given to men, it
was love to God and love to man, but
the %scrupulous pietist seemed to over
look the fact that man in his right was q
factor in true religion. AS the ages have
rolled by men have come to regard the
rights OF man better. The humanitarian
hes been growing age by g aince the
world was made flesh. In no department
has the love for the race been seen at
better advantage in the public charities
OF the day. All classes of the unfortu-
nate are provided for in christian states.
These state charities change In man
agement by every change of administra
ton, or as political relations of parties
render them liable to change.
This 10 an unmitigated evil.
These institutions should be removed
from political control, as far from politi,
cal power as possible. Good men should
be entrusted with their management.
When once ID sare of these institutions
they should be beyond the reach of poll
tics to disturb their position.
Not every man, because he is educated.
has influence IN the community, is 9
good republican or democrat, is on this
account fitted to have the charge OF one
Of these institutions. Not every Nj. D.,
with @ first class medical education iG
fitted to be superintendent OF an insane
asylum.
This much said we now oome to our
work in hand, to give an account of o re-
cent visit to the insane asylum located
near the CITY of Yankton. We had seen
much that had been written about the
asylum, had heard from what we re-.
gardsd rs a reliable source that the
fraud or dishonest question in it's man
agement would not be disturbed if il
wRs but given into the hands OF She
party in the government. We went
with the purpose to see it all-what the
board were doing in The line OF building
and what the governing power was
doing inside the establishment.
On our arrival we said to the Huperin'
tendent, 1--WE come to see the institution
in wards. We want to see the building
from garrett to cellar" "We will show
you ALL" said the gentlemanly super
intepdent. This letter we now write
is to show what we found there
First we found neatness without a fault
in halls, in beds, in the appearance o
inmates, In dining rooms, bath rooms
laundry, kitchen and ali. The wali
have been recently calcimined in mos
OF the wards and will be extended to al
the wards as fest as time and mean
hermit. Next came another obseryabi,
fact-the ohesrfalness that meets th
visitor every where. This is zen ii
beautiful pictures and forest leaves Wit
the richest sutumnal tints which sdorl
the rooms OF the inmates and halls O
the various wards. Beauty, lovelines
everywhere.
, Then again, the air is filled with song
} Music OF birds, music from organs an
. the human voice. all unite to fill th
j. inmates and visitors with harmony
More still comes the musical voice {
love. The superintendent and his lady
r brimfulI of sympathy, breathing th
Esprit OF love among all the inmates is th
redemptiye part of the institution. N
!. y one can go through this Institution an
Ihear her words and see the spirit {
y quietness and love kindling in the fac
of the widest OF the inmates, and SEQ II
kindness of the superintendent Withou
a feeling it ia the right man and woma
= in the right places. 1t would be o Ga.
amity to the cause OF humanity, a calar
ity to these unfortunate inmates,
change the management Of this instit'
ton because its head happens oor
soientiously to vote the republics
y ticket. "Let we'll enough alone Is ii
word We would pass along the line eve
Then we saw the boiler room enlargeme
about which We have heard go much
a violation OF the law for making II
provements without the authority OF
law. The fact is simply this, that
was necessary to remodel the boil
* room , that more draft might be given
heat the building property. 80 at I
small expense of $1,000. where the
mates were helpers in the work wlthi
nv remuneration, where old brick was us
lie. in the construction OF the building and
of its arrangements and where a suftici'
II. capacity for heating the two new wiz
when completed WAS given by this
90 largement, thus making it one OF
most economical improvements
. ~k.ta ;not;totion has heen able tn REM